Hyundai Motor Company staged the world-premiere of its all-new Verna at the 2010 Beijing Automotive Exhibition last week. With its eye-catching sloping roofline, the new sub-compact, Hyundai’s third China-exclusive model, projects a coupe-like dynamic image that is at once sporty, stately and futuristic.
Developed over a five-year period expressively for the Chinese market, product planners conducted exhaustive market research of Chinese consumer tastes and trends to ensure every detail meets local requirements. Built on an all-new platform at the company’s highly automated plant in Beijing, Verna is targeted at China’s strategically important C1 segment and fully reflects Hyundai’s philosophy of quality.
Says Stanley Anderson, Marketing Director at Hyundai South Africa; “Although we will not be bringing this vehicle into South Africa this certainly says a lot about the Hyundai brand worldwide. With China earmarked as the future giant in the automotive industry globally, being number one in China will soon become a benchmark for being number one in the world.”
“Today is a really special day for us, not only because we’re launching a new car, but because it’s one of the very few times we’ve done a world-premiere outside of Korea - and we chose to do it right here in China because it’s our way of recognising how important our Chinese customers are to us,” Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company states.
“This definitely demonstrates Hyundai’s aggressive penetration within the global marketplace. Furthermore, in line with Hyundai’s brand strategy, we are focused at building new plants in countries around the world to increase production and maximise brand presence, instead of cutting costs and minimising production – which is what the automotive market is characterised by of late,” says Anderson.
“In 2009 we posted a 94% Y-o-Y growth in China and have sold over 2 million cars since arriving in 2002. We are not losing any momentum, continuing to expand our line-up in China with our most stylish and advanced models like the all-new Verna and our compact SUV “ix35.”
Furthermore, to minimise fuel consumption without sacrificing performance, Verna is powered by the new generation Gamma gasoline engine, featuring multi-port fuel injection. Verna delivers best-in-class fuel economy, in keeping with Hyundai's pledge to be the industry's eco-leader. And it fully satisfies China’s Step 3 fuel economy regulations — two years ahead of schedule.
Featuring all-aluminium construction for weight-saving, the 1.6-litre DOHC Gamma delivers 90kW at 6300rpm and 155Nm of peak torque at 4200rpm through a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission.
For cost-conscious car buyers, the base Verna is offered with the 1.4-litre DOHC edition of the Gamma which puts out 79kW at 6300rpm and 135Nm at 5000rpm and comes with the choice of a 5-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic. Fuel economy is rated 5.7ℓ/100km with the manual; 6.2ℓ/100km with the automatic (1.4-litre with Fuel Economy Package).
Such impressive performance was made possible by a variety of enhancements to the engine including Continuously Variable Valve Timing, a smart alternator and air conditioning compressor plus the adoption of motor-driven power steering.
Verna hugs the ground with a new low-floor platform and a sloping roofline both of which contribute to Verna’s impressive aerodynamics and superior fuel economy.
Special ultra-high tensile strength steel has been applied to the car to enhance the overall stiffness of the body structure for superior crash protection: Verna achieves best-in-class safety, aiming to satisfy the CNCAP 5-star rating. Thanks to the highly rigid body, the suspension is more securely anchored thus enhancing ride and handling characteristics and eliminating vibration and booming noise.
Verna’s wheelbase-longest-in-class-and its low overall height, give it extra stability and a very stylish look but without incurring a penalty in cabin size. In fact, the overall cabin dimensions are bigger than any rivals. And the trunk, measuring a spacious 454 litres can easily accommodate as many as four golf bags plus three small tote bags. So not only does it look great, but it’s very practical.
The Verna will be built at the company's highly automated Beijing plant from July and will go on sale in the second half of this year. Hyundai will launch it in the Chinese market first, and then gradually introduce it to other regions.
STORY BY HYUNDAI
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